Taxis at Cruise Ports in Japan

[donaldsc]

We are doing a Princess cruise of Japan.   We have tours schedules for most of the places we stop but because of the difficulty of getting guides in Japan right now we are going to wing it at several ports.  The wing it ports are Sakata, Nagasaki and Shimizu.  I have a few questions. We are stopping at Nagasaki twice.  We have a tour booked for one day where we will see the standard tourist sites and one day is our wing it day.

 

1) Will I be likely be able to get a taxi at these ports as we leave the ship or should I try to book a cab in advance.  If in advance how would I do it.

 

1a) Sakata presents a real problem.  We might even want to hire a taxi for part or all of the day at the port,     We are thinking of using the taxi to get from Sakata port to the Gyokusen Ji Temple; then to a restaurant in Tsuruoka and finally back to the ship.  That would be a total of ~75 km and a time of maybe 5 hours.  Does this make any sense.

 

2) I am guessing that most taxi drivers speak very little English.  Since Sakata is a less visited port English speaking taxi drivers will probably be more of a problem.

 

3) Do any of the taxis take credit cards or am I going to carry a bunch of Yen w me.  Probably both.

 

You are probably wondering why we just don't take a tour.  We tried but there is a shortage of guides in Sakata and the canned tours don't go to the gardens.  I have been told that the gardens are spectacular.

 

Any thoughts or suggestions?

 

DON

 

[RetiredandTravel]

I don't know the answer to 1 & 1a

 

2)  In Tokyo many taxi drivers do not speak English so I would guess less do in less populated areas.  Taxi drivers , in our experience, were very professional & polite.  I'd take a written copy of where you want to go, hopefully its in Japanese also, and hand it to them.

 

3) Most likely in Tokyo again maybe less in Sakata.  Many places in Japan only take cash.  See attached & quote from the article.  Enjoy your trip

 

"What payment methods are used in Japan?

Cash is still a favored method, although the COVID-19 pandemic has boosted the use of digital and contactless payments. Most major credit cards are accepted for purchases in larger stores and restaurants. However, be aware that shrines and other locations in rural areas might only take cash."

 

https://www.jal.co.jp/hk/en/guide-to-japan/plan-your-trip/tips/what-to-know-about-using-money-in-japan.html

 

 

[bennybear]

We got a taxi in Shimuzu and another port without issue.  English was limited.  We paid cash

[someotherguy]

I've been to Sakata, but by car, so different logistics to you, plus
the day I was there happened to coincide with a marathon race that
closed roads in the downtown area and prevented me getting to several
spots so I cannot give a comprehensive overview.

 

The most useful online general guide to Japan is https://japan-guide.com
Here's their piece on Sakata https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e7990.html
and unfortunately it is not very good.  It misses Somaro (Maiko
performances) and Kaiko-ji (mummified priests) and Hiyoriyama Park
(lighthouse and reconstructed ship).

 

This trip report covers most of the good sights:
https://www.japan-guide.com/community/mfedley/report-3272
but misses the park: https://yamagatakanko.com/en/attractions/detail_402.html

 

Other good sources are the JNTO pamphlets
https://www.japan.travel/brochures/eng/index.php

Here's the one for the Sakata area, see items 5 and 6 on p3 and 4 on p4
https://partners-pamph.jnto.go.jp/simg/pamph/2129.pdf

 

And the Japanese ports directory: here's Sakata
https://www.mlit.go.jp/kankocho/cruise/detail/015/index.html
and note the pdf link in there for more info.

Edited August 18, 2023 by someotherguy
Added to port info.

[ROCruiser]

Never been to Sakata but Nagasaki is easy. If mobility is not an issue, their local trams are easy to use. A tram station for tram #5 is right near the port. You can get a one-day pass at the port and ride their trams all day. Shimizu, we walked to the train station but did see taxis available.